My daughter is a commercial pilot and works for Delta. That being said, you will need to check the carrier size for the specific flights you will be on, as the different planes have different seat settings and the space under the seats can vary. Also, there are limits to the number of pets allowed in the cabin per flight. You probably won't run into this as a problem, as you have planned ahead and are already on the list.
Inside the continental US there are 'Pet Relief' areas in major airports on the clean side of the security area. The law recently changed. That's just for potty space, not for walks or feeding. You will need to carry your pet's snacks/meals with you and keep them under the limits for liquids/food to be carried on. Checked baggage does not have those limits. I recommend putting meals in Ziploc and putting the Ziploc bags inside a second one inside your checked bag.
Double check about health restrictions. You may need to have documents from your vet about the health of your dog based on a visit within a certain number of days of your flight. This can make a difference because you are crossing an international border.
Allow additional time at the airport before you board. You will need to check in at the airport with your dog prior to going through security and going to the gate. You can not check in after security, at the gate.
Security isn't that bad. You will need to take your dog out of their carrier, put the carrier on the conveyor to be scanned and carry your dog through the metal detector as you go through it yourself. I recommend that you do not have your dog in a harness with a lot of metal bits. Velcro? Plastic? Not a problem. Metal? Not a good idea.
The cuteness of your dog is a mental factor in your favor. I kid you not. Adorable, tiny puppies get excellent treatment. Well behaved dogs get lots of leeway, too. It will not hurt to have treats that the security agents can feed to your dog to make the security agents feel like they are not just robots following protocol.
Carry extra poop bags. Get the disposable carrier liners for 'accidents' inside the carrier. Be kind to travelers seated near you and clean up as quickly as possible, to decrease the smell. Be prepared with pictures of your dog, looking adorable, on your phone or tablet.
Remember, there are many, many dog lovers that will be traveling at the same time. one of them might be seated right next to you and will aid you with your trip |